In February Germans fell in love with her at their national final Unser Song 2017.
And last week Levina gave her fans even more reason to feel enthusiastic as she released an acoustic version of her winning entry “Perfect Life”. Stripped back and stirring, it shows off her instantly recognisable vocals and offers further proof that Germany chose the right artist.
The blonde bombshell is temporarily living in London, but the clip unfolds in her other hometown: Berlin. While walking along the so-called Spreeufer, she seems completely at ease as she belts it out while accompanied by a guitarist. Judging from his facial expressions, he’s feeling it too…
Levina worked with the relatively unknown German producers HNDGMCHT on this version and together they’ve drawn quite a bit of attention. Many are already suggesting that this is much stronger than Levina’s original version of the song. Among the many reasons is that the references to David Guetta’s “Titanium” have been completely removed here.
It’s difficult to say if a stripped-down version like that could make an impact on the big stage in Ukraine. But maybe the German broadcaster should consider taking elements of this for the final Eurovision version.
Revamping the song is a BIG topic this year in Germany. Following high hopes for the revamped Eurovision selection, many fans were disappointed by the quality of the songs — especially the winning entry “Perfect Life”. Fans were underwhelmed by the lack of originality and they also criticised the songwriters for blatantly taking inspiration from David Guetta and Sia’s “Titanium”.
NDR, the German broadcaster, has remained silent about a potential revamp thus far. The only official information comes from programme manager Thomas Schreiber. Right after Levina’s victory he told the press that they will “think about” a new version and that there will be many discussions about which instrumental version they will submit to the EBU.
Levina’s music video for “Perfect Life” features the version from the national final. But there’s still hope for a revamp: Levina recently posted a picture on Facebook where we can see her in the studio. Does that mean she was recording tweaks?
Studio day ?
Posted by Levina Music on Thursday, March 2, 2017
Only time will tell if NDR realises the importance of revamping the German entry. Soon we’ll find out if they managed to make “Perfect Life” more original, more powerful and more memorable in general. So make sure to stay tuned!
Do you think the acoustic version is a step in the right direction? Would you like Levina to revamp her song for Eurovision? Or do you think “Perfect Life” is already a perfect song? Let us know in the comments below.
Breaking news:
Today, a new version of “Perfect Life” was released!
This version is WAY better!!
I kinda like this. Agree with one poster below that elements of this are good for the final version, removing the Titanium elements. On a related know, I don’t get why Ghost received so much hate last year when it was so contemporary & the singer was likeable. Was it just because of the staging? Gosh, this has really become a Eurovision Staging Contest
I agree with Oli, Charasmatic singer and the song is better than many of the released entries
When your entire national final consisted of choosing between artists singing different versions of the same song, then you do not use the version of the song that people voted for…..what exactly is the point?
Please let them revamp it.. honestly more than half of the song has that Titanium beat behind it and its just so annoying!
I really don’t get all the hate around this entry. I find the song catchy and refreshing, it gives me good mood, and she is a nice singer, charismatic and with a very good voice.Honestly,I think is better than most of the half songs in this weird year. At least I can listen to it until the end
Nothing can save this mess the German broadcaster created. Maybe songwriters refuse to give their good songs away for national finals?
It would be really interesting if they started with this acoustic version then somehow transitioned it to the original–it would remove the Titanium influence yet still remain upbeat at the end. I don’t love the song as a song, but I *adore* her voice. She could carry the song vocally no matter what they do, but it’s just a shame that her talent is wasted on a very mediocre song. Even if it’s “revamped” into an acoustic version, unless there’s someone miming the instrument on the stage, it’s not gonna have the same charm as this video; but even the… Read more »
@robyn
I agree that you can’t turn a piece of poo into a diamond. But for me the main thing about a revamp is that it shows you are listening to the fans and actually trying to do well. This is instead of just being stubborn or lazy or whatever convinces them to stick with a song that people just aren’t responding to.
Look at Israel last year – they went from a non qualifier to left side of the scoreboard. and why? Cos hovi and Israel weren’t content with just making up the numbers.
There are around 10 songs right now that are firmly on 100-1. All of them should be frantically trying to revamp their songs – if your odds are that low – people don’t like your song! Deal with it and revamp!!! That’s what I thought about Switzerland last year for example as they were always bottom in the offs and where did they come? Dead last.
Glad to see at least Albania and Germany are making some sort of an effort. This year has been dominated by lazy, safe entries.
The song isn’t good to begin with, so I agree with Robyn – a revamp can only do so much. But in this case it could save it from last place.
I hope they change it to this version. Or even Axel’s version was better. But I have a feeling it will stay as it is. But even in the released version I think Perfect Life is actually one of the better songs this year. I didn’t think so in the beginning but that was before other countries have released their songs. I think 2017 might be one of the weakest years in a very long time…
1) Of course the acoustic is better
2) Of course Germany will not choose it
3) Germany refused all good chances : Xavier Naidoo, Avantasia, and this year Sadi and Helene
4) German drama-queens will scream that nobody looovvveeesss them
Maybe i’m the only one, but i really see myself voting for perfect life in may. I really like the feeling of the song and levina’s vocals are great for this kind of song. It’s like an antidote to some meretricious songs taking part this year…
it was stripped back to begin with? uhhhh
I really enjoyed this. This version is much better and more interesting, and it changes my view of the song. This version shows off Levina’s interesting and quite nice voice and it feels more honest and raw, rather than cliche pop tunes.
Why can’t she be on stage just doing this with the handsome guitarist? It will be much more engaging and stand out?
Most people agree?
Getting rid of the TITANIUM verses is so much better. It is still not going to win ESC 2017 but it has a better shot to be at the top of the right side of the scoreboard instead of the bottom. Please Germany, revamp this song.
Better but still anonymous and bland, plus it reminds of several other songs. No wonder it was accused of plagiarism twice already
I like the casual, more intimate feel of the acoustic version, but I’m not sure if it would change my current ranking for the song.
I like the acoustic walk; it shows her likeability and i’d very much like to meet her on the river bank one day and just start singing together. 🙂 Musically the key was lower for the acoustic version, which demonstrates how deep her voice can actually go. (Deeper than Lucie’s, but nowhere near the depths of Blanche.) Unfortunately the song still doesn’t quite take off, especially when it repeats that unfinished line three times (and that’s what you call a perfect… that’s what you call a perfect… that’s what you call a perfect LIFE! [finally!]) I will be blunt: the… Read more »
Sounds much better!
I really like the original to be honest, but both are good.